“We can
The Disciple sighed. “Finally. After all those years. Why did Yousif run, Nassef?”
That was the critical question. “I wish I knew. It keeps me wondering what he has up his sleeve. Yes. We’ll try for Al Rhemish. It’s worth a try even if it doesn’t work. It’ll be a spoiling raid if nothing else. Yousif will be more dangerous there than he was at el Aswad, where his resources were limited.”
El Murid still carried Yousif’s taunting note. He studied it for the hundredth time, fixed though every word was in his memory.
“My dear Micah,” he read aloud, “Circumstances compel me to be away from my home temporarily. I beg to leave it in your curatorship, knowing you will attend it carefully in my absence. Do feel free to enjoy its luxuries during your stay. May you anticipate all your tomorrows with as much eagerness as I anticipate mine.
“Your Obedient Servant, Yousif Allaf Sayed, Wahlig of el Aswad.”
“Still a mystery to me,” Nassef said.
“He’s mocking us, Nassef. He’s telling us he knows a secret.”
“Or Radetic wants us to think he does.”
“Radetic?”
“The foreigner must have composed that. Yousif isn’t that subtle. It smells like a sneaky bluff.”
“Maybe.”
“Let’s not play his game. Forget the message. In Al Rhemish he can whisper the words of the Evil One directly into the King’s ear. He can gather the Royalist strength against us.”
“Yes. Of course. We must do as the angel says, and strike hard, now, at the very nest of the vipers.”
“Whatever his reasons, Lord, I think Yousif made a mistake. Without him to block the road I don’t think the Royalists can stop us. As long as we don’t meet them head-on, in a test of strength. They retain the advantages they had at Wadi el Kuf.”
“Gather the rest of the Invincibles. This year in Al Rhemish for Disharhun.”
“It will be a delight, Lord. I’ll begin now. Give my love to Meryem and the children.”
El Murid sat silently and alone till long after Nassef’s departure. The critical hour was at hand. He had to wrest the most from it. His angel had suggested that the resolution of many troubles lay in the taking of Al Rhemish. And he had begun to get a glimmering of what could be done.
“Hadj.”
“My Lord?”
“Find Mowaffak Hali. Bring him to me.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
“My Lord Disciple?” Hali asked as he approached. “You wanted me?”
“I have news for you, Mowaffak. And a task.”
“At your command, Lord.”
“I know. Thank you. Especially for your patience while it was necessary that the Scourge of God direct the blades of the Invincibles.”
“We tried to understand the need, Lord.”
“You saw the light on the mountain?”
“I did, Lord. You spoke with the angel?”
“Yes. He told me it’s time the Invincibles liberated the Most Holy Mrazkim Shrines.”
“Ah. Then the Kingdom of Peace is at hand.”
“Almost. Mowaffak, it seems to me that worldly elements crept into the Invincibles during my brother’s tenure. Perhaps this is our opportunity to expunge those. The fighting at Al Rhemish will be bitter. Many Invincibles will perish. If those who are the most trustworthy are elsewhere, on a secret mission...”
He said no more. Mowaffak understood. He wore one of the cruelest smiles the Disciple had ever seen.
“I see. What would that mission be, Lord?”
“Use your imagination. Choose your men and inform me of the nature of the task I’ve assigned you. And we’ll celebrate Disharhun in Al Rhemish.”
Hali kept smiling. “It shall be as you command, Lord.”
“Peace be with you, Mowaffak.”
“And with you, Lord.” Hali departed. He walked taller than El Murid had seen in some time.
After a time, the Disciple called softly, “Hadj.”
“Lord?”
“Find the physician. I need him.”
